A new Vertical Epic will be released every year, with the goal being to collect them all and have a Vertical Epic tasting once the final Epic is released on 12/12/12. Each new Stone Vertical Epic Ale will be release one YEAR, one MONTH and one DAY apart. This time around, we used no spices in the brewing of this beer. If you've tasted the beer before reading this, that may surprise you. The special Belgian yeast we used adds a distinctively spicy aroma and flavor. Roastiness, clove, hops, fruitiness, and those other great and funky phenols abound in the nose. What's in the flavor? You certainly get some dark roasted malts and alcohol overtones. What else? Hints of earthiness, chocolate/cocoa, hop spiciness, maybe even anise, and ... the incredible variety of complexities from the classic brewing ingredients of barley malt, hops, yeast and water, when applied with an artistic brewer's talent never ceases to amaze.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by Upstate Dave from Hamilton, NY, USA who has tried this beer once. (8/12/2007 2:09:22 PM)
"Sampled on 08/11/07 Poured brownish red with a hoppy nose and good caronation along with a white head. Ther was some lacing visable. the flavor was of sweet malt and hops. There was a slight warming feel as you drank. This paired well with salty snack foods"
Aroma:
7/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.6)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[2] Review by RedHaze from Bellevue, NE, USA who has tried this beer once. (3/2/2007 4:54:25 PM)
"Pours a very deep dark brown with some faint ruby highlights. The head comes to a finger in height at it's apex, but fades rapidly to a thin soapy head. The lacing is thin and tattered.
Smell; on the first couple of sniffs chocolate covered, rum soaked cherries come to mind. A little bit of vanilla and cloves are present as well, along with some hints of pepper. Very nice!
Taste; the chocolate is definitely present right away, along with a bit of coffee with touch of a chalky/yeasty flavor. Some dark fruits come out, with cherries and raisins mixed with a bit of alcohol. Even though I can taste a bit of alcohol, it doesn't give any of the alcohol burn. The finish is sweet caramel and candied sugar.
Mouthfeel/Drinkability; the mouthfeel is a bit thin due to a fairly low carbonation, but it is very smooth. With the smoothness of the mouthfeel, and the flavor of this beer it is pretty darn drinkable."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.8)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[3] Review by lilkem from Marietta, Ohio, USA who has tried this beer once. (5/15/2006 5:18:46 PM)
"Ruby color with brown highlights. Off white thick creamy head. Aroma of maple, vanilla, oak, rye, pumpernickel bread, molasses. Flavors of rye bread, maple wood chips, light oak chip flavor, lots of vanilla. As carbonated as a soda. "
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.9)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[4] Review by biegaman from Toronto, Canada who has tried this beer once. (4/16/2006 12:06:51 PM)
"A darker pour, some head but not much. Beautiful red hue when held to the light. Huge maltiness off the bat. Followed by definite detection of hops. How do they continuously fit both these in one sitting? Malt huge in the backdrop and hops big in the front end of the mouth. Aroma not perfect (on Stone standards which are significantly higher than others) but not too far from it! Hops found in the aftertaste too, lends biterness. A great finish. Seems to be holding up well. Verly lively, makes for a great drink to share with friends. Kudos again to Stone and big thanks again Dr. Jay! "
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.2)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[5] Review by captainskoal from Mingo Jct, OH, USA who has tried this beer once. (2/19/2006 8:26:36 PM)
"poured a brown color with some red hints in it had a very thin tan head that left no lace the aroma was not very good the flavor of raisins, malt and some dark fruit notes i was kind of let down by this one compared to the other stone brews"
Aroma:
6/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
7/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $9 Unit Cost: $6.55 per Pint
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(3.6)
